Minnesota Report
With the selection of state Senator Tony Lourey (DFL-11, Kerrick) as Commissioner of Human Services there will be the need for a Special Election and until such time the Senate Republicans will hold a two-vote majority rather than the one vote they currently have.
Now, there will be another Lourey in pursuit of the seat. Stuart (Stu) Lourey, a graduate of Carleton College, and a former staff member for US Senator Al Franken (DFL-MN and now Tina Smith (DFL-MN) we seek the seat. His work in both offices in Constituent Services specifically those in Greater Minnesota. As a third generational leader Stu can embody the work ethic of a farmer, show his willingness to go away to school and come back home and reintroduce vibrancy to the community.
This means the timing of the Special Election will be very important, in order for the Republicans not to be able to pass the entirety of their agenda early in the session and fix the negotiating points.
Here is the release.
Stu Lourey Announces Bid for State Senate District 11 Seat in Special Election
Says He’ll Focus on Healthcare, Education, and Building Strong Communities if Elected to Represent Carlton, Pine, and Parts of St. Louis and Kanabec Counties
[MINNESOTA]—Today, Stu Lourey—a fourth-generation Kerrick resident—announced his bid for the 11th district seat currently held by Tony Lourey, who today was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Human Services by Minnesota’s Governor-elect Tim Walz.“I’m running for State Senate, because I believe in this community, the values we share, and what we can accomplish together,” says Stu Lourey. “Ourcommunity shows up for each other. Friends, teachers, and neighbors have shown up for me all my life— – and have given me every opportunity. So I grew up with this basic value:if you see the opportunity to do right by your community—your neighbors, your friends, the people you love—you show up, you put in the hard work work, and you try to make life better for folks.And that’s what I want to in the Minnesota Senate.”
Lourey has dedicated his professional career to public service. Lourey has worked in the district for Minnesota Senators Al Franken and Tina Smith, where he worked to push legislation to help people living in rural areas access health care, provide students with school-based mental health support, and improve prevention, treatment and recovery for the opioid epidemic. As Senator Franken’s field representative in northern Minnesota, Lourey worked in Carlton, Pine, Kanabec, and Saint Louis counties on issues important to the region including health care, education, infrastructure, and jobs.
Lourey has partnered with, and learned from, health care stakeholders, tribal leaders, schools, and labor unions to find solutions that help build strong communities.
Communities need affordable health care, quality education, and good housing and jobs to thrive, Lourey says.
“I’ll focus on the issues that are weighing most heavily on families here in the district. Working on policy in this area—and having conversations with doctors, tribal leaders, teachers, and others—I most often heard about the need to make healthcare more affordable, the importance of strong schools, and ways we can build a strong economy.”
On healthcare,
“No one should have to think twice about seeing a doctor when they’re sick or getting prescription drugs they need, because they’re worried they can’t afford it. I want to work on real solutions that can help families get care they need—like the MinnesotaCare Buy-in. And I’ll listen there to listen at rural clinics, nursing homes, and kitchen tables to make sure the work we’re doing actually benefits families, not drug companies and special interests.”
On education,
“Education, from early childhood to career and technical training, is one of the most important investments we can make. I’ll work to make sure rural schools get fair funding. And that every kid feels safe, supported, and has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
On strong communities,
“We need invest in connecting our communities with high-speed internet, and that we’re investing in quality, affordable housing that will help families build a good life here.”
Lourey is the son of State Senator Tony Lourey and Marlana Benzie-Lourey, an english teacher at East Central High School. Stu Lourey is also the grandson of former State Senator Becky Lourey. On his family’s history of public service, Lourey says.
“I’m proud of my family’s commitment to this community and public service. Those are the values I grew up with,” says Stu Lourey. “And I know I have to work hard—knock on thousands of doors, have countless conversations—to earn the support of voters here.”
Growing up on a family farm, Lourey learned the value of hard work. That’s why he’s looking forward to the conversations he’ll have across the district ahead of the election.
Stu lives on his family farm near the border of Pine and Carlton Counties where they raise a small beef herd. He is a graduate of East Central High School and has a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in Northfield Minnesota. Stu enjoys experiencing the outdoors through bicycling, distance running, and hunting.